History of barbed wire: In which year was barbed wire first granted a U.S. patent? Context: Joseph Glidden's improved design became the dominant commercial form. Choose the correct year.

Given data

• Question asks for the year barbed wire was patented.
• Associated with Joseph Glidden's improved, commercially dominant design.

Concept / Approach
Multiple barbed-wire patents appeared in the 1870s, but the breakthrough and most famous U.S. patent is Joseph Glidden's, issued in the mid-1870s.

Answer reasoning
Joseph Glidden received U.S. Patent No. 157,124 on October 27, 1874 for his barbed-wire improvement, which became the market standard.

Common pitfalls

• Picking 1873 or 1875, which are close but incorrect for Glidden's grant date.
• Confusing earlier barbed-wire ideas with the iconic, mass-adopted patent year.

Final Answer
1874.